Chapter 6 – Glossary
80
networks to function in the same vicinity without
interfering with each other. The SSID can be a word or a
combination of letters and numbers.
Subnet A distinct separate part of a computer network. Often,
computers in one building or location form a subnet.
Dividing a large network into subnets isolates network
traffic, enhances network performance, and provides a
mechanism for organizing the network in a logical
manner. You divide a network into subnets by connecting
network segments with a router. On a TCP/IP network, IP
routers connect subnets together.
Subnet mask A mask used to determine the subnet for an IP address.
IP addresses have two parts: a subnet address and the
computer address. The subnet mask determines what
part of the IP address is the subnet address. For
example, if you have a subnet mask of 255.255.0.0, the
first two numbers in your IP address are the subnet
address. The last two numbers are your computer's
address on the local network. Your computer uses the
subnet mask to decide whether to send data to another
computer on the local network, or to send the data to the
address specified by your default gateway. If the subnet
part of the address you are sending data to matches your
IP address, then your computer tries to send the data on
the local network. If these do not match, then the
computer you are sending data to is on another subnet
(probably on the Internet), so your computer sends the
data to your default gateway, and the gateway forwards it
on to the Internet.
Switch Similar to a hub, a switch is a central connection point for
network cables that connect to computers or other
network devices. However, when two devices
communicate through a switch, it sends signals directly
from one port to the other port, instead of transmitting to
all ports, like a hub does. You can connect a computer or
a hub to each port on a switch.
user_guide_rg1210.book Page 80 Monday, April 22, 2002 2:20 PM
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